Banff National Park - Definition and Overview

Banff covers 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) and contains over 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles) of trails.

The Bow River, whose source is the Bow Glacier, carved out the valley between Banff and Lake Louise.

Banff took its name from the train station, which is believed to be named after the town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Prior to local government reorganisation, the Scottish Banff was in the former county of Banffshire.

A park pass is required for stopping in the park and permit checks are common during the summer months, especially at Lake Louise and the start of the Icefields Parkway. A permit is not required if travelling straight through the park without stopping. The Trans-Canada Highway goes through the park. Death of wildlife killed by vehicles on the highway is a problem resulting in the highway being fenced and wildlife undepasses and overpasses built.

Some of the park's many photogenic vistas are Lake Minnewanka, Mount Rundle, the Vermilion Lakes, Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks (renowned for its turquoise blue waters), Peyto Lake and Herbert Lake. Herbert Lake is remarkably more attractive at sunrise than at midday.

External links

• Banff National Park in Bivouac.com (http://bivouac.com/ArxPg.asp?ArxId=2022)

• Parks Canada web site (http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/index_e.asp) Quick Links: Trail Report (http://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/apps/tcond/cond_E.asp?oPark=100092) Current Weather (http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/forecast/city_e.html?wzg)

• Avalanche Reports (http://www.avalanche.ca/Parks/Bff/banff_avalanche_bulletin_results.asp)